Robert Ingle

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be directed to Robert’s 2^nd home, the Highmore Golf Course, PO Box 151, Highmore, South Dakota 57345. 

Also, please be sure to share your stories of Robert with his family when you find the opportunity.

Robert Donald Ingle, 82, of Harrold, passed away on hospice Wednesday, February 8, 2023, at Avera Maryhouse in Pierre, surrounded by his loving family and loving professionals at Maryhouse.

Memorial service with military honors will be 3:30 p.m., Friday, February 17, 2023, at the Harrold School Gym with Rev. Kori Lehrkamp officiating.  Visitation will begin one hour prior to the service and will continue after the service.  Burial will be at Medicine Hill Cemetery, Harrold.

Robert requested that he be remembered without parade and fanfare. He wanted a simple remembrance, honoring a simple and humble life for which he was perfectly content. In honor of Robert, please make sure you always have a flashlight in the glove box of your car and in at least 50% of the drawers in your home and shop/toolbox.

Robert Donald Ingle was born to Arthur and MaryAnn Ingle on June 18, 1940, in Harrold, SD where he lived his entire life and shared his steadfast and silent demeanor with everyone he encountered. After graduating from Harrold High School in 1958, he served many roles including 34 years of employment with the Hughes County Highway Department as a heavy equipment operator, 22 years as fire chief for the Harrold Volunteer Fire Department, and many years as a Civil Defense volunteer - always watching the skies for danger. Robert was drafted into the US Army during the Vietnam War and served dutifully as a military police officer stateside and during deployment to South Korea. Robert was an expert marksman and earned commendations and awards for his marksmanship during his service to our country.

In his life, Robert was a used car connoisseur, a self-taught mechanic, and a make-shift inventor of many things. Many of Roberts ‘inventions’ were worthy of patents; however, there will never be any royalties collected for his creative genius. In fact, several of the groundbreaking things he created may be best left to the most top-secret undisclosed pages of history. Robert was truly a master of repairing anything and supported his family and friends with his talents. As a younger man, he and his friends passed the time by being thrown in jail (on purpose), being a general nuisance to his parents, siblings and the community at large, and avoiding seriousness at all costs. As he ‘grew-up’ he enjoyed the many hunting trips taken to the Black Hills with his closest friends and the shenanigans that ensued upon their arrival. He loved fishing (a lot), golfing (maybe too much), and ice-fishing (for unknown reasons). In his retirement years, if he wasn’t on the golf course, you could find him mowing or working on a lawnmower. He also pursued amateur competitive bowling with his friends, which he very much looked forward to each season. Many of Robert’s talents were well known, but his lesser-known and seemingly magical secret talent of ‘pulling his thumb off’ was kept exclusively within the family. One thing that was well known was his extensive collection of flashlights, an obsession that began in early childhood as Robert even requested Santa’s help in amassing his empire of flashlights.

Robert was universally respected by his family, friends, and everyone he encountered. He did not command respect, but rather deserved it. He lived a life where everyone around him respected Robert, because Robert respected them. He was the perfect father and model of respect for his children and grandchildren who will faithfully carry on his traits. He was always ready to help whenever it was needed for his family, friends, or community. Robert was willing to live without, so that his family could live with exactly what they needed. Even in the most difficult times of life his quick humor was always ready to be deployed.

Grateful for having shared his life are his children: Debra Ingle and Joel (Renee) Ingle; grandchildren: Caitlyn Ingle, Jacob and Ella Ingle; siblings, Lola (Marty) Steifel and Ronald (Beverly) Ingle; brother-in-law, Larry (Jane) Russell; many nieces and nephews around the country; and the many close friends who have truly always been a part of Robert’s family.

Robert was preceded in death by his wife, Patricia (Russell); his parents, Arthur and Mary Ann (Tassler) Ingle; and father-in-law and mother-in-law, Robert and Rose Russell.

In lieu of flowers, we ask that donations be made in honor of Robert to his second home the Highmore Golf Course, PO Box 151, Highmore, South Dakota 57345.  Also, please be sure to share your stories of Robert with his family when you find the opportunity.

Luze Funeral Home of Highmore has been entrusted with Robert's arrangements.